Kittanning Council Rejects Idea of New Hydro Electric Plant

by Jonathan Weaver

A proposed hydroelectric power plant that would be built on the opposite of Allegheny River Lock 7 would “deeply impact the community in a wholly-negative way,” according to Kittanning Borough Council.

First Ward Council members Betsy Wilt and David Croyle attended the September 27 public meeting in Kittanning Township regarding the proposed plant, and addressed their concerns to the collective body at the beginning of the month.

Wilt said she was opposed to the plans for two reasons – the possible removal of several trees from Kittanning Riverfront Park and the plant’s construction in a residential neighborhood near the Maple Street intersection.

“(Developers from Rye Development) would completely ruin our park,” Wilt said. “We have to stop (the plans) before (they) go any further.”

Council President Kim Fox also opposed.

“There were no pros to us – (Kittanning) gets nothing out of this,” Fox said.

Second Ward Councilman Gerald Shuster was also concerned the power plant would not offer an influx of economic development – only creating possibly-three jobs for the community while selling electricity to thousands in New York state – and make recreation worse.

“It’ll be an eyesore for the community, holy hell for the park – which is one of our biggest selling points. They could care less about the yokels north of Pittsburgh, Shuster said.

“It’s going to be highly-detrimental and negative to the community in almost every way. There is nothing positive that they gave us that lends itself to Kittanning finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Croyle also said he would like to see an agreement between Rye and the borough to provide funding that would make it advantageous for the community to support the project.

Borough Solicitor Ty Heller wasn’t sure if such an agreement could be instituted, but encouraged council members to also consult with the nonprofit-Arts on the Allegheny and Allegheny River Development Corporation.

“Anybody and everyone with a stake on the river involved,” Heller said. “It seems to me, one of the main functions of a Borough in a situation like this is to get the word out.”

Councilman Ange Turco made the motion to send the “strong letter.”

“Our park is priceless,” Turco said. “Once you eliminate it, it’s gone forever.”

Borough Fire Marshal Earl “Buzz” Kline also warned the new hydroelectric plant would also create ice jams.

A resolution opposing the construction is also to be voted on next month.
Last week, Rye Development Vice-President Erik Steimle and Environmental Vice-Present Kelli Doherty explained the proposal includes a 16.5 mega-watt power house that could potentially provide electricity for as many as 8,000 residents. The power “house” would be located on the opposite side of Lock 7.

Steimle said that although Rye is applying to build plants all over the United States, they do not actually have any of them up and running yet.

“Right now, we are beginning the feasibility and permitting process for a new hydro power project here. The earliest the project construction could begin would be sometime in 2020,” Steimle told the Kittanning Paper.

Steimle said homeowners have not yet been contacted as the project is still in the preliminary stages.

Comments can be made to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by writing to them at 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426 and reference docket P-14522. Comments may be filed electronically by visiting: www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.

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